Yellow Flag Iris - Blooming Age Plants

Yellow Flag Iris

Yellow Flag Iris is a beautifully blooming herbaceous perennial that is easy to grow. It does best in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil that is never permitted to dry out. At maturity, each plant may be 3 to 5 feet tall; they may spread to almost 3 feet wide. Yellow Flag Irises grow at a medium rate and do their best in full sun to partially shaded areas. They bloom in late spring to early summer, which is May through June for most regions. These irises grow well in Hardiness Zones 4a through 9b.

Native originally to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, the yellow flag iris has done surprisingly well in North America. So well, in fact, that is considered an invasive species in some places. It is popular with American gardeners because it is both deer and rabbit resistant. Yellow flag irises make excellent borders, especially around ponds and decorative waterfalls.

Like other members of the iris plant family, Yellow Flag Iris has long, pointed green leaves. Their 3 to 4-inch blooms are bright yellow with deep purple or brownish veining stripes. They reproduce via rhizomes and tubers; care should be taken not to allow them to overgrow public waterways. In some regions around the world, however, Yellow Flag Irises are used as natural filtration systems.

Yellow Flag Iris have been popular around the world almost since agriculture began. Historically, Yellow Flag Iris roots have been used to make natural inks and dyes in colors such as green, yellow, brown, and black. It has been used to manufacture stuff, and for a variety of medical purposes. Yellow Flag Iris seed pods can be dried and added to flower arrangements. The Yellow Flag Iris was the base for the French heraldic symbol, the fleur-de-lys.